Did you just add a domain to your web hosting, but the website still isn't working (yet)? This is normal and relates to DNS propagation. In this article, we explain what this means.

What is DNS propagation?

When you add a domain or change the DNS settings, this information needs to be distributed worldwide to all kinds of DNS servers. This process is called propagation and can take some time, from a few minutes to, in some cases, 24 to 48 hours.

While this process is running, it's possible that:

• the website already works in some places and not yet in others;
• you sometimes still see an old version of the website;
• email still arrives via the old settings.

What should you check?

1. Check whether the nameservers are set correctly. For web hosting at Etheron, these are usually ns1.ping64.net and ns2.ping64.net. See our article How Do I Change My Domain's Nameservers?.
2. Check whether the domain has been added correctly in DirectAdmin. See our article How Do I Add a Domain Name to DirectAdmin?.
3. Wait out the propagation time. A domain is often reachable within a few hours, but this can vary per internet provider.
4. Check the DNS status via an external tool, for example an online DNS checker, to see if the change has already propagated worldwide.

Note: Don't wait too long without checking. Always first check whether the settings themselves (nameservers, A record) are correct, before automatically assuming it's only due to propagation time.

Troubleshooting

• Still not working after 48 hours: check the settings again, or contact us.
• Website works on your phone but not on your computer (or vice versa): this is a normal phenomenon during propagation, different networks/providers refresh their DNS cache at different times.

Still stuck? Feel free to reach out via Discord or create a support ticket.